imPulse features

Nov. 6, 1997

Like minds agree: this music is fun

By Jennifer Williams

Reporter for The Baylor Lariat

Like Minds, one of the newest bands on campus, is not chasing a dream of fame and fortune. The Christian rock band has higher aspirations. The band aspires to have its listeners positively affected by its music, which is used to glorify God and to bring people closer to Him.

'We are after collaborating our efforts through music in order to have a lasting impact on people and to help them through things they have gone through in their Christian lives,' said Arik Harding, the lead singer and a Dayton junior.

Since they formed last May, the group has traveled to Nashville, Springfield and around the Houston area performing and spreading its message: 'Make my joy completed by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose (Phillipines 2:2).'

McCarty, who plays rhythm guitar, said the verse is the goal of the band's music and it focuses them in the way they spread God's message.

Harding said the band wants to teach people through its music about Christ and for the listeners to know how much Christ loves them. And although he loves singing and writing songs that glorify Christ, he takes his role and the band's role as a sort of 'teacher' seriously.

'Those who are teachers are more accountable. Like the Bible verse, James 3:1 says, 'Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brother, because you know that we who teach will be judged much stricter,'' Harding said.

Harding told a story about a show they performed in Springfield. Things had not been going very well between the band members because their attitudes were not the way they should have been, Harding said, and it reflected in their show.

'When our focus is not on God because our lives are out of whack, then our show isn't any good or as enjoyable,' he said.

Although there are some difficult times, the band has enjoyed being together as they travel to different states performing and singing in honor of the person they love most.

'We have a big chance at doing something special with the band,' Harding said.

Like Minds hopes to make an impact on campus and in the Waco area. Though they do not claim to be a 'youth ministry' band, they want to reach out to high-schoolers and college students through their music. The band members believe the music is not just about bringing people closer to Christ -- it is meant for Christian fun.

'The music is about entertaining people with Christian music and having them jumping around having fun for God,' Harding said.

'There is definitely a need for God and Christian music to fit into the generation we are in,' Dudley said. 'I hope every practice and conversation about the band gives the glory to God.'

McCarty agreed with Dudley, the lead guitarist, and said he wants people to get the message they are conveying.

The members of the band said that although they use themselves to impress others with God through their music, they have made impressions on each other. They said that being in a Christian band helps them stay accountable -- to each other and to God.

'As a musician, this is the first or second band I have been in that God is the sole provider of the music,' Bush said. 'God put this group together and chose the people.'

Bush, who plays the drums, said they get 'down to the chase' and spend their time glorifying God.

Morris, who plays bass, said the band is just as much a ministry to him as it is to the people Like Minds performs for. He said it is a constant struggle to build himself up as a Christian, but that the band keeps him in check.

'If the band became a self-glorified thing, than it would take away from God,' Morris said. 'If we become bigger than what God wanted, it's all in vain.'

Like Minds will play for the first time in Waco at 9 p.m. today at the Compass Christian Lifestyle SuperStore at 4271 W. Waco Drive. The band will also perform at 7 p.m. Sunday at University Baptist Church. Both performances are free and open to the public.

impulse briefs

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'Few people realize that Gen. James 'Jimmy' Stewart played an important role in World War II,'' Antonovich said of the actor. 'Rather than taking the opportunity to stay in Hollywood, he chose to fight. ''

Antonovich said he will ask other board members to support his recommendation to the city Airport Commission.

Stewart joined the Army Air Corps at age 32. After the war, Stewart served as an Air Force reserve officer and retired at age 60. He was 89 when he died July 2.

Ono art vandalized

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Police found nothing artistic about the red line scrawled across a $240,000 painting by Yoko Ono.

Jason D. Platt, 22, was charged with felony vandalism for using a felt-tipped marker to deface 'Part Painting/A Circle'' and was released on $7,500 bond, police said Tuesday.

The art by the widow of former Beatle John Lennon was on display at the Contemporary Arts Center as part of an exhibit that ended Friday, the same day Platt surrendered. The vandalism happened Oct. 16.

Platt drew a red line across a number of canvases and kept drawing even after a guard shouted at him to stop, said center Director Charles Desmarais. Platt gave his name and address and left.